Santa Sophie spreading Xmas cheer

THE Royal Family may seem beset with problems at the moment, but the Countess of Wessex is determined to spread some Advent cheer.

Sophie wore a red Father Christmas hairband and puffed hard into a party blower during her visit to a Disability Initiative in Surrey yesterday.

Wearing a navy blue jumper with a white ruffled shirt underneath, Prince Edward’s 56-year-old wife shared a joke with clients of the scheme in Camberley, as well as joining in to make chocolate sculptures and wreaths.